Scarborough middle in need of band equipment

Scarborough Middle School's band director says she has three times more budding musicians-- than she has instruments.

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) —

Students at one Mobile middle school want to make some beautiful music, but they need your help.

Scarborough Middle School's band director says she has three times more budding musicians-- than she has instruments.

The sound of music is loud and clear at Scarborough Middle School and while there's enough music to go around, band director Tiffany Gibbs says there aren't enough instruments.

"I have 151 students enrolled in band approximately we have about 40 instruments," Gibbs said.

Gibbs says the band program hit a huge growth spurt this year after the school system allowed students throughout the county at failing schools to transfer to Scarborough.

Band is now a fulltime elective offered every day.

To make it all work the students share equipment but they're required to have their own mouth piece. Right now, some don't have that either, "and they're upset because they can't participate in class as well as everyone else," Gibbs said.

Ingnaicio Streeter plays the trombone. He says he often gets creative and uses his hands during class.

"I just do what they do," he said. "I practice so I don't forget. So I do the same thing they're doing so I'll know what to do when I have one."

"It's very frustrating because I see the students desire to want to learn music," Gibbs said. "They want to participate, but they just don't have the means."

Gibbs says she wants to see every student in her class with an instrument in their hands.

She said "We need clarinets, saxophones, trumpets and trombones mostly. If we can get some baritones and tubas that would be great."

You can drop off instruments and donations at Scarborough's front office.